Low Tech B

The student we are programming for is a nine year old girl with profound autism. Danni works on the Star program and has many tasks to accomplish each day. She also has a reward system. She has been using a visual task management strip with first/then set ...first task and then reward.

As we wandered through the Dollarama in New Minas we tried to be conscious of Danni and her IPP outcomes. We wanted to be sure to match our low tech device using the MPTT model and make sure that Danni’s needs would be addressed. We considered many items and found several that could be of benefit.

We bought a portable folding clothes hanger that can be used as a “next step” task manager. It is red and white with little clips. Danni likes these colours and enjoys using clips such as clothes pins. Task cards can be clipped to red and reward cards can be clipped to white. Given that she currently works with a very limited set of choices, our low tech device will allow for her to progress toward dealing with more choices.

The environment in which Danni’s has been working will be expanding so that she will be incorporated into the regular classroom as much as possible. She spends a large part of her day working through the tasks in her Star program. She has a good receptive language and some spontaneous vocabulary that she used to request preferred items and activities. She is very motivated by food items. As Danni works through her program she will be surrounded by her class mates and supported by her teacher and EA. All those in her environment will be taught about the use of the “Hanging Task Manager”.

Danni enjoys the company of her peers and we hope to have them interact with her more as one of her reward tasks. Currently peer interactions is at a parallel play stage. Having them familiar with her program will be helpful in the success of the program.

10 Other Off the Shelf Items that could be used as A.T.
1. Cig out - a little cube to butt out a cigarette - could be used as a pencil holder making it easier to grasp if standing up rather than laying down on the desk.
2. Squishy gel neck cushion - could also be used as a seat cushion for those that like to wiggle in their seat.
3. Plastic cocktail picks, coloured Popsicle sticks - easily attach to pages for creating adapted books
4. Themed felt or foam play board sets - used to build comprehension, vocabulary or various speech and language goals.
5. Blurp, stretchy worms, sticky tack, Glorb - as hand held fidgets
6. Lemon squeezer - use with play doh as relaxation tool or develop hand strength
7. Scribble writer - writing tool that allows squiggles and tactile feedback
8. Wind chimes, reflective wind socks, kaleidoscopes, or mirror balls as visual/relaxation sensory tools
9. Multipurpose storage kits of differing sizes or muffin tins to use for sorting, categorizing or matching activities
10. Silicone mats - use for gripping things or as a work stabilizer at work space

Extras
- Bug magnifier - role play collecting bugs or magnifier to hunt for words, letters, objects etc.
- Frog spray/water can - it could be used as part of a plant care vocational activity, the spray lever could be used to improve hand strength
- One handed tape – when two hands are not able to be used
- Clear plastic squeeze bottles for condiments with measurement on side – for paint and glue and to teach volume (how much is left)
- Bag clips, fasteners, turkey baster, and elasticized plastic bowel covers – fine motor strength and pincer grasp
- Multi - colour/decorative shoe laces – incentive for those who resist wearing shoes
- Modeling clay/beading kits – fine motor and rewards
- Blow out party favours, classical music and nature sounds CD’s - stress relievers
- Silicone egg ring - use as an upper body muscle/proprioceptive tool
- Etch a sketch drawing board or plastic light coloured plastic plates - used as writing (whiteboard) surfaces

Whew! The wheels were turning.